4 Paws Blog

As our animals wait in foster care for the world to open back up, some are experiencing what it is like to be loved and cared for in a home for the very first time. We are highlighting stories of some of these pets on our 4 Paws Blog to shine a light on just how adored these animals are.

Emeline is one of our wonderful volunteers who has taken in a foster pet. She is a first time foster, and is learning all about the struggles and rewards this work has. Etta Place, fondly called Etta or Ms. Etta, is a 6 month old small breed mix hailing from Texas.

Emeline writes:

As I sit here, writing this, Etta is assisting me by trying to chew my keyboard. She’s very helpful like that. This is my very first time fostering a dog and it has been quite an adventure so far. I don’t have children but I imagine that waking up at 3 am to take your child out to poop is just one of the many joys of parenthood, no?All, kidding aside, Etta Place, or Ms. Etta, as I fondly call her, is a 6 month old rescue from Texas. Which would explain why, when it snowed briefly the other day, she fought me tooth and paw, to stay inside all day. (She lost that battle). ​I am enjoying every minute that I spend with Ms. Etta because I am learning so much about her and getting to watch her become more confident and social with other humans and pets. From 6 feet away, of course. For instance, I have learned that she loves to run and chase sticks. She will even occasionally bring them back. Ms. Etta is currently teething, so if she can reach it, she will chew on it. So I went out last week and bought her some chew toys and a teething ring. Did you know those existed for dogs? I did not. I also learned that Etta has two speeds - zoomies at 90 mph and zero. Curled up, asleep on my bed with the fuzzy blanket, snoring softly. Actually, if I don’t shut my bedroom door when we get up in the morning, I will turn around to put her food out, only to find her back in bed again.

Ms. Etta has learned a few things too. One, rocks and rabbit poop are not for eating. Two, she can climb up and down a flight of stairs, but if she tilts her head at just the right angle and uses those sad puppy eyes, she will be carried wherever she would like to go. Lastly, she has learned about the beach. Now, I’m sure they have beaches in Texas, but not like the beaches here in New England. She has absolutely loved sniffing all the seaweed, shells and sand. If I let her, she could play on the beach for hours and hours. Also, if I let her, she could taste test everything she finds buried among the dunes.

My time as a foster mama has been simultaneously the best decision I’ve ever made and one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. I have come to love this little lady. Especially when she curls right up next to me, every morning, or growls at my parents dog for coming too close to “her human”. Seriously, it’s adorable. However, at the end of the day, I can’t make her a permanent part of my family. It’s just not in the stars for me at this point in my life. Deep down though, I know that the time I spend with Etta now, will help her be ready and open for love and affection from the perfect furever family when the time comes. That is the thought that gives me comfort and makes me want to continue being a foster mama and a volunteer at CAAA.

Thank you so much to Emeline and all of our amazing fosters! Check back with us periodically as we share stories from our foster families and more.

Keep up with us on our 4 Paws Blog and on social media to stay up to date on shelter operations during COVID-19, including stories from our foster families and how you can help shelter pets, and your own pets, during the crisis.